18-SEP-2012
Ready to weld in place
I drilled a 1/2" hole so that stuff wont get stuck draining out. It has good angles so that draining "shouldn't" be a problem once it's welded in place.
18-SEP-2012
Fitting for drain tubing
I made a fitting to weld onto my draining sheet metal. The brass compression fitting will squeeze a 1/2" piece of tubing that will drain thru the firewall and then under the vehicle.
19-SEP-2012
Cowl drain tacked in place
I got the cowl drain sheet metal all tacked in and ready to be cleaned up. Since the grille attached with six screws directly to the old vent box, I am going to install nut-serts in the old holes to be able to mount the grille.
19-SEP-2012
Installing Nut-Serts
I cleaned up my six mounting holes with a 1/4" drill and the 8-32 nut-serts were a perfect fit.
19-SEP-2012
Nut-Serts installed
The nut-serts sit pretty flush and provide a great way to mount items such as this cowl grille. I'll pick up some 8-32 stainless hardware and my grill will be back in buisness!
19-SEP-2012
Cowl drain ready for primer
I'll seal the remaining six holes then seal the edges up with seam seal and it will be ready for a couple coats of epoxy primer. Just to be sure that it is sealed on the inside I will probably use a nice heavy coat of silicone sealant.
22-SEP-2012
Primed cowl drain
Got the new cowl drain sheet metal primed and ready for seam seal. I installed nut-serts in the rest of the holes that aren't being used so I can seal them up.
22-SEP-2012
Cowl drain sealed
I sealed up all the edges and nut-serts really good so hopefully I won't have any leaks when water hits it. I'll get up under the dash and seal the bottom side when everything is good and dry on top.
22-SEP-2012
Prepping doors for new hinges
I decided to use a set of JK door hinges on my doors because I liked the "beefy" look of them. In order to mount them on the doors I'm going to have to add some material to the inside of the door skin to drill and tap. The doors need to be persuaded a littlo to accept the modification....
22-SEP-2012
Helping the doors mate with hinges
I have to flatten the edge lip to allow some 1/4" steel to slide into the door skin. I will wrap the metal around and utilize the old hinge mounts with strong flathead bolts for strength.
23-SEP-2012
Ready to weld
I made all four new hinge mounting plates for both doors which are bolted in place and ready to be welded up.
23-SEP-2012
Closeup of the backing plate bracket
A closeup of the two pieces show the beveled edge ground to achieve a good penetrating and flat weld that is needed.